from Elliott
While in Capetown recently we visited Simonstown where
there is a colony of penguins. In the park we saw this sign. At first
thought, I wondered who would ever think to shake hands with a penguin.
What if he stuck his hand out first,
would we be seen as disrespectful if we did not shake hands. But
then, I remembered that penguins don’t have hands. Hmm.
These penguins make an unusual sound – like a braying sound
that a donkey would make. For many years they were referred to as ‘Jackass’
penguins because of that sound. Evidently though, someone thought that was offensive,
to the penguin I guess, because they are now referred to as South African
Penguins. In fact, the brochure says “formerly known as Jackass Penguins”.
Sounds like a PR firm got a hold of that!
I'm laughing because I went to Cape Town after visiting you and went to see the South African Penguins. I didn't remember the part about them formerly being named the "Jack-Ass Penguins." And I didn't notice the sign either. Wish I had gone with you guys as my tour guides. I was thrilled, however, to see so many of those penguins waddling around and swimming!
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